readers of the river moon

The first in our Full Moon Reading Retreat series

A three-night reading retreat shaped by books, spring-fed water, firelight and good company.

Held over the August full moon, this late-summer retreat offers time to read deeply, swim, sauna, think, talk and discover new books in a landscape of ponds, trees and old stone.

Beginning with an optional full-moon swim and sauna evening, the weekend unfolds with generous reading time, shared meals, book conversation and the particular pleasure of being among other readers.

The Invitation

Three unhurried days for books, deep reading and good company — with beautiful places to read across the site, indoors and out.

There are quiet corners everywhere: hammocks by the ponds, the Horse-Lorry Library, the walled-garden yurt, library rooms and fireside lounges for cooler hours.

This is a retreat for people who want protected time to read, think freshly, encounter new books and enjoy the stimulation of reading in good company.

You will leave having read deeply, discovered new books and renewed your appetite for reading.

What’s Included

• 3 nights’ accommodation
• all meals — local, seasonal, vegetarian
• celebratory supper with guest author
• shared sauna sessions
• swimming in spring-fed ponds
• a weekend shaped by clear water, old stone, firelight — and the quiet pull of books

The Accommodation

Guests stay across a range of spaces on the site:

• shepherd’s huts
• Lotus Belle tents
• generous rooms in the main house
• Upper Beeches apartment rooms

Retreat numbers are intentionally small to keep the atmosphere spacious and unhurried.

Reading Spaces

There are many places to settle with a book:

• sheltered pavilions with wood-burners
• hammocks and recliners beside the ponds
• the warm walled-garden yurt
• the Horse Lorry Library
• library rooms and open fires in the house
• fireside rooms at The Beeches for cooler hours

The Shape of the Weekend

This is a lightly held retreat, with a clear rhythm to each day and plenty of time for reading, swimming, conversation and rest.

Friday — arrival + full moon swim

Arrive during the afternoon, settle into your accommodation and gather for supper and a brief welcome.

Later, for those who wish, join us for a full moon swim and sauna evening

Saturday — reading day + literature in the landscape

A spacious day for reading, swimming and time outdoors. In the late afternoon we take a walk through the grotto, garden and ponds, threaded with readings and stories that help embroider us into our surroundings — including passages from Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia and Gordon Campbell’s The Hermit in the Garden.

Sunday — reading, browsing + book conversation + celebratory supper

Another spacious reading day. In the late afternoon we gather in the yurt for browsing and book conversation — exploring the books that others in the group have brought and recommended.

In the evening we share a celebratory supper followed by a conversation with a guest author

Monday — breakfast + departure
A final morning for breakfast, last pages and farewells before departure.

The Shared Book Table

Guests are invited to bring one book that resonates with them.

Over the weekend, these books form a shared book table in the yurt — a simple, informal way to discover new reading through one another.

Who This Retreat Suits

This retreat may suit you if:

• you want dedicated time to read
• you prefer spacious programmes rather than packed schedules
• you enjoy thoughtful, organic conversation
• you’re curious about books that hold depth and surprise
• you enjoy nature, firelight and (optionally) cold-water swimming and sauna

The Spirit of the Retreat

In a distracted culture, it is a rare pleasure to give time to reading properly.

These weekends offer the chance to immerse yourself in books, encounter new ideas, and enjoy the enlivening company of other readers in a beautiful landscape.